Since the completion of my work goals, I have desperately been trying to tackle house and family projects that I have been wanting to get to for months to years. Although I have not officially cleaned up the attic, I did manage to find a bin of old Axel clothes that I had "misplaced", although it was just in the wrong section of the attic. We found Axel's suit jacket that he wanted when he was in the 2nd grade. Rubix fits in it perfectly. You likely can't see the picture of Axel hanging on the wall with the jacket on very clearly because of the glare and small size, but for what it is worth, we took a picture of Rubix in the jacket under Axel in the jacket.
On July 8th, Keith's birthday, we had a few friends meet us at the pool to hang out. Keith and I wore our Hawaii gear, which was fun.
We enjoyed some food and good conversation while the kids enjoyed pool time.
We had the same crew of families and their kids meet us at the pool early the next morning for a "mini meet" as race prep and technique work for the kids as we had two "by" weeks in a row, which meant the kids would be rusty for the swim meet against our old Cabana club, Westgate and Champs which we just had this past weekend.
Jack and Arick, were Rubix's friends who came, and Phoenix had Aditi come join us and Axel was a trooper going just to go. He actually lucked out and saw a group of Harker friends going into the pool when we were leaving and then hung out for a few more hours and spent time with his Harker friends, Ellie, Heather and Iona. They all happen to be swimmers who are also in "math elective" which is the math team at Harker.
While Axel was there, Keith and I went for a bike ride.
It was hot! When we got back Keith took Rubix to his friends Reese's birthday party and I took Phoenix to her friend Angela's birthday party.
Angela invited sooo many people! Apparently, her mom made her invite lot of friends because she hadn't had a birthday party in 4 or 5 years.
The kids played in the water before coming in for dinner and cake. Here is the birthday girl and Phoenix!
On Sunday we had our "annual neighborhood picnic in the park," that we have not had for years. We were able to meet a couple of new neighbors. We actually have a handful of new families that have all moved in over the past couple of years. We do hope to meet the other ones in the future.
Rubix has been going to "math club" with Jack and a few of his friends from Sacred Heart School. After they do math they play soccer. It is fun to see that Jack takes off his shirt like Rubix does at home.
It was an incredibly busy weekend and it was a busy week following with summer school and swimming. Fridays, during the summer have a fun activity. This Friday was balloon toss and balloon war.
All 3 of the kids enjoyed themselves. They have been troopers going to 7 am practice. Axel has done all 7 am practices and Rubix and Phoenix started going once or twice a week to the 7 am practice for the past 4 weeks. Technically, they are not suppose to, but it makes drop offs and getting to school and work much more manageable.
Last Saturday we enjoyed seeing so many old friends from Westgate Cabana club. Phoenix very much enjoyed hanging out with old and new friends and bringing them together. She has such a gift of making people feel accepted and bringing people together. You can see how many Westgate Gators missed her.
Rubix, Jack and Arick, went 1,2, 3 in most of their events. What a cute picture of the dynamic trio who sweep the podium.
I love this when Axel is teaching Rubix and Rubix is interesting in learning from his big bro. What a special relationship they have.
We continue to go to the track every Sunday. The kids are getting stronger and it is so much fun to see them improve on their times. Phoenix and Rubix often just do sprints, but throw in one 400 meter fun for an effort while Axel tries to get in his full track workout. Here is a fun picture of Phoenix running with Daddy. She ended up doing two 400s this day after her 400 warm up, plus sprints!
Now, back to the house stuff. I finally managed to clean up the art room and get the kids an adult size table that they can work on.
I am pleased with the organization on how much I was able to get rid of. It is not perfect, but definitely a start. You can see my stack of scrap book materials. That will be my next project, once I get the house in order. I have years of scrap booking to catch up on.
I also finally managed to create the TV room for Axel. In order to do that I had to move the toys, couches and TV.
Keith did an amazing job of moving the cable under the house to allow us to get the TV set up in the pinball room.
I really want to hang the TV on the wall, but Keith doesn't because are TV is old. So I guess I have to wait for this TV to die before we can get things fully set up.
This is also the new "game room". I still need to order a table with benches where the kids can play games and build puzzles. The goal for this room is two fold. One, for Keith and I to be able to watch movies and not disturb the kids since the other room the TV noise could keep Axel up. Second, for the kids to be able to have a hang out room with their friends, watching TV and playing games. I think Axel is pleased and I hope this allows him to invite friends over more often.
Surprisingly, I had 3 Iris's bloom this week. It is very late, but they are still beautiful!
This past weekend we had Valley Aquatic League Swim Champs. Axel and his medley team were stoked to take first place in their relay. Axel had the privilege of being anchor/freestyle and was able to help win the race for them. He PR'd with a 27 second 50 free. It was a very fun and exciting event to watch.
Phoenix hanging out with her gator buddies again!
Phoenix winning the breast stroke. She swept and won all her individual events. She did the 25 breast stroke, butterfly and the 100 meter IM. This was a huge accomplishment, especially because she is only 9 and won the entire league for 9/10 girls.
Here is Rubix winning free style. He also won all of his events. This was actually the only event where he did not break the league record. He swam a 19.37 25 butterfly and a 22.77 25 backstroke which resulted in a new league record. He did an 18 second free style again which was still a second off of the 17.6 second 6 and under boys record.
Here is Axel swimming the 50 Free. He was a bit frustrated as he was a second slower on this individual race than he was in the relay. He would have possibly podiumed if he was a second faster, but regardless it is fun to see him swim.
Rubix is holding up his "heat winner" lollipops. Phoenix and him had one for every race.
My little fish playing in the pool.
Rubix with his relay team of Arick, Brody and Jack.
On Sunday we had the end of year party/ awards ceremony. Phoenix and Rubix both earned the most points for their age group. Rubix actually had the post points out of all of the swimmers as he won every single race he entered this year.
They each received a medal for being the biggest point contributor for their age group.
The 6 and under who came to the ceremony.
The 9/10 girls.
The 13/14 boys. I think not even half of the swimmers came, as they had over 200 swimmers for the summer league.
Rubix with coach Tom after announcing that Rubix had broke the VAL butterfly and backstroke league record for 6 and under boys.
Rubix with his medals!
Kyla, Phoenix and Ellie!
The kids with all of their medals!!!
What a fun swim season and summer we have had. Full of friends and hard work. The kids have two weeks of practice before they take a 3 week break from swimming. School will be starting when swim starts back up. In the meantime, Keith leaves for Boston to travel for work and to see his family and have a small gathering for his Dad's burial. Gma Susan comes to visit for a few days and then we leave for a fun filled trip to Chicago. We are excited for more family fun. Phoenix and Rubix will be done with summer school this Friday and Axel is crushing himself at this intensive math camp the rest of this week and next. I am so proud of him for working so hard. He spent 5 hours doing homework after being in class all day. The kid is beyond dedicated to learning complex math for the math team.
I hope to post before school starts so check back soon!
On Thursday we headed to Spring Valley and had the privilege of seeing all of the Eicks and Uraniches. It was such a great day catching up everyone!
Phoenix was such an angel to little Gia, Cory's oldest. 
Gma Connie and my cousins Mia and Gianna. 
Gma Connie and me. How I missed her! She hasn't changed a bit. Gina, Sonia's sister hasn't changed a bit either. Mia has become a mini Gina with the same voice and mannerisms. It was so much fun to see the cousins all grown up! I do wish we lived closer. 
Family photos #5 with Gpa Bruce and Gma Sonia.
The kids playing in green grass!!!! Huge open field of green grass!!!
Park time on our last day!
Rubix reading before bed.
Me with the parents before heading to the airport. What a lovely visit. We will miss our midwest family. 
We got back late Saturday night. Sunday we made sure to get in a bike ride and swim for the kids. I had to pack for the kids trip to Gma Susan's house. We met Gma and Gpa and the Jolley's for dinner. After dinner when we were putting everything in Gma's car Aunt Shannon realized that Axel may be taller. She blamed his shoes so he took them off and it is a very close call of who is actually taller. 
Auntie's sad, but I am so happy for Axel. I hope he grows another 4 to 6 inches. 
On the way to Gma's! I cannot tell you how weird it has been to be without kids for the past 3 days. in our 14 years of marriage we have never been without the kids. We made sure to ride together after work, which has been really hard for me because it is hot, I have worked all day and I am hungry! I somehow managed. We have also caught up on work and I have managed to get this blog done!!! It is amazing my days are still long, but it is always worth it because I wouldn't want my life to be any other way. Keith and I feel so blessed to have each other and these 3 amazing kids to raise. We have such an amazing extended family who are such good people. How blessed are we to see and spend time with so much family over the past 2 weeks. 
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